The alarming rates of domestic and family violence against Aboriginal women has prompted an emerging Indigenous women’s advocacy organisation to host its inaugural ‘yarn up’ in Canberra today.

The Sista 2 Sista: Hear Our Voices forum on Tuesday 15 November is an Indigenous women’s advocacy event on family violence, demonstrating that “Blak (sic) women’s lives matter”.

Dunghutti woman, Tanya Keed, a coordinator of the event and founder of consulting agency Clybucca Dreaming, is raising awareness of the lack of support for Indigenous victims of domestic violence.

“We’re hoping that there’d be more support… so that these voices are heard,” Ms Keed said.

Today’s Sista 2 Sista forum showed data that Indigenous women are over 34 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be hospitalised because of family violence.

Additionally, one in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women over the age of 15 have experienced domestic or family violence in the past year.

Ms Keed explained domestic and family violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women has a generational impact on Indigenous families and communities, and the process of getting help often has unwelcome consequences.

“You’ve got PYPS (Pregnant and Young Parent Support) involved, you’ve got housing involved. We’ve got education involved… and the justice system becomes involved,” Ms Keed said.

“It’s horrendous, what Aboriginal women have to go through just to get safety. A lot of [domestic violence victims] have been silenced because of that.”

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the true extent of family violence within Aboriginal communities is difficult to determine due to victims under-reporting and a lack of appropriate screening by service providers.

“We are facing the lack of funding, the lack of culturally appropriate services, and the lack of culturally safe programs for women,” Ms Keed said.

“Anyone in Canberra would tell you exactly the same thing.”

Tuesday’s forum called for greater government support for Indigenous women who experience family violence, including safe houses and funding for culturally vetted services and programs.

While programs aimed at reducing and spreading awareness about domestic violence exist, Ms Keed said their impact was “limited”. 

“These women are calling for action on the changes on the delivery of programs, of the way that you’d run their programs,” Ms Keed said.

“We just want change and someone to listen, because how can you run this program… when you don’t know what’s needed for these Aboriginal women?”

“We just want our voices to be heard.”

Clybucca Dreaming is hoping to start an online petition for Indigenous women who are victims of domestic and family violence, which they plan to take to the government for action.

“We need a response from this government because we’re not going away,” Ms Keed said.

“Things have got to start changing in Canberra now to support Aboriginal women… Enough is enough.”

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, you can call or visit the website of:

• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
• Canberra Rape Crisis Centre: 02 6247 2525
• Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT: 02 6280 0900
• Lifeline: 13 11 14

In an emergency, call 000.

By Maanasa Nimmagadda, Canberra Daily work experience student.

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